49ers' Kittle 'distraught' by NFL's new smelling salts ban
George Kittle crashed San Francisco 49ers teammate Fred Warner's interview with the NFL Network on Tuesday to "air a grievance" following the league's announcement of a new rule banning smelling salts.
"Our team got a memo today that smelling salts and ammonia packets were made illegal in the NFL. And I've been distraught all day," Kittle said during the live TV program as Warner laughed.
The tight end added that he would regularly use smelling salts before every offensive drive, though he noted the 49ers don't use them in practice.
George Kittle crashed the NFL Network set to drop the news that the league banned smelling salts and ammonia packets today — and he admits he uses them every single drive. pic.twitter.com/1orx0wzhOa
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 5, 2025
In a league-wide memo, the NFL cited a 2024 warning from the FDA regarding the "potential negative effects" of ammonia inhalants, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. The memo also cautions that using these inhalants can mask neurological symptoms, including those used to identify a concussion.
After joking that he considered retiring in response to the new rule, Kittle requested a compromise with the league on an alternative solution.
"We have got to figure out a middle ground here, guys. Somebody help me out," Kittle said. "Somebody come up with a good idea. That's all I had to get out there. Get that off my chest."